Jonathan Papelbon Isn’t Afraid to Tell David Ortiz What’s Up

As much as I hate to drudge up any more bits of Mannyphrenalia–the guy helped us win some titles, now he’s gone, end of story–today’s Herald has some excerpts from an interview with Jonathan Papelbon in the latest Esquire, in which he breaks down Manny’s last days on the Sox.

“It just takes one guy to bring an entire team down, and that’s exactly what was happening. Once we saw that, we weren’t afraid to get rid of him. It’s like cancer. That’s what he was. Cancer. He had to go. It (stunk), but that was the only scenario that was going to work. That was it for us.”

Nothing we hadn’t heard before, really. But I’m particularly enamored of the Bot’s comments on how he does his part to police his teammates’ attitudes.

“Nobody is ever going to be allowed to do that. Even a guy like me, just heading into my fourth year in the big leagues – if David Ortiz gets a little, you know – I’ll tell him what’s up! I’m not afraid to do that. I’m not afraid to put him in his place, because I think everybody needs that. And if somebody does it to me, I understand that. I most certainly understand that. Varitek tells me all the time, ‘Just shut up. Do what you’re supposed to do.’”

That last line there? That’s my new mantra. “Just shut up. Do what you’re supposed to do.” Anyone at the office who gives me sass today, that’s the response you’re getting. Especially that douche who runs the cafeteria, with his, “Sir, you’re only allowed one piece of cake,” and “Two for one pork chop night was last week” and “If you want me to take your order, you’re going to have to put your pants back on.” I’m sick of it, man. You’ve all been warned.